Mop with folding squeezer head



Feb. 5, 1957 J. L. HVALE MOP WITH FOLDING SQUEEZER HEAD Filed` June 30, 1952 Z7 z/ gfx- JQ JNVENTOR.

MOP WITH FOLDING SQUEEZER HEAD James L. Hvale, Chicago, lll., assignor to Ekco Products Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application .lune 30, 1952, Serial No. 296,293

2 Claims. (Cl. 15-119) This invention relates to mops, and more particularly to mops of the type shown wherein a mopping element is secured to a pair of panels which are joined for relative swinging movement between an outspread position and a juxtaposed folded position whereby the mopping element is squeezed by the panels when moved to such juxtaposed folded position.

It is an important object of this invention to improve `the construction and reduce the cost of production of mops of this type and in connection with such improvement to provide the same with operating means of novel construction for effecting movement of the panels from nited States PatentO 'ice I bracket 16 to provide a socket member adapted to rigidly an outspread mopping position to a juxtaposed folded mop squeezing position.

With this and other objects in view, the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary top perspective view of a mop constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertic-al section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, with parts in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 3--3 of lFig. 2, with parts in elevation.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view illustrating the mop when undergoing mop squeezing action.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken on line 5-5 -of Fig. 4.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the reference numerals 10 and 11 designate a pair of panels or plates of metal or othersuitable construction. While the panels 1t) and 11 as shown in the drawings are of rectangular plan, it will of course be understood that a variety of other designs may be substituted without departing from the spirit of this invention. Hinge eyes 12 formed along one edge of the panel 10 cooperate with similar hinge eyes 13 formed along the corresponding edge of the panel 11 cooperate to receive a pintle 14. An angular flange 15 at one end of a bracket 16 and a ange 17 at the opposite ends of the bracket 16 provide a pair of spaced apart parallel ears having aligned openings in which the projecting ends of the pintle 14 have bearing support. Accordingly, the panels 10 and 11 are joined by said pintle 14 and the bracket 16 for relative swinging movement of said panels between an outspread position and a juxtaposed folded position. The bracket or support 16 is also provided with spaced walls 2t) and 21 across the distance between the flange 15 and flange 17 and each of said walls 20 and 21 present straight edges engageable with the surface portions of the panels 10 and 11 therebelow in straddling relation to the axis of swinging movement of such panels so as to limit movement of the panels in a direction upwardly from a position wherein said panels are substantially coplanar. Wings forming continuations of the side walls 20 and 21 are welded or otherwise suitably fastened as at 18 to the inner surface of a separate tubular member 19. The tubular section 19 thus forms an extension of the contain the end of a handle 22, said handle being provided to manipulate the mop in actual mopping operations. It will be noted that the longitudinal axis yof the handle 22 is arranged lengthwise of the axis of swinging movement of the panels 10 and 11 about the pintle 14.

A mopping element 23 of cellulose sponge material or the like is secured to the side of the panels 10 and 11 facing away from the bracket 16 whereby said mopping element 23, squeezed between the panels so as to express water from the element 23 when the panels are moved into juxtaposed folded position `as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawing. A metal plate 24 secure-d by suitable adhesive to the surface portion of the mopping element 23 facing the panel 10 provides anchorage for the head of a screw 25 having a threaded shank projecting through an opening formed in the panel 10 in registry therewith -and the portion of the shank so exposed through said opening in the panel 10 receives a securing nut 26. A similar metal plate 27 likewise secured to the portion of the mopping element 23 facing the panel 11 provides anchorage for a screw 28 having a threaded shank pro- `jecting through an opening in the panel 11 to receive a securing nut 29. Thus the metal plates 24 yand 27 combined with the screw members 2S and 28 cooperate with the panels 19 and 11 to fasten the mopping element 23 to such panels 10 and 11. `It will be understood, of course, that the metal plates 24 and 27 are spaced apart a distance sutlicient to avoid any interference with the hinge connection between the panels 1l] and 11.

The walls 20 and 21 of the braket 16 provide bearing support for trunnions 30 and 31 forming the ends -of a camming lever 32. The camming lever is preferably constructed of a length -of wire bent intermediate its ends so as to form -a pair of arms 32 spaced apart a distance corresponding to the distance between the outer faces of the panels 10 and 11 when the latter are in folded juxtaposed position and the trunnions 30 and 31 constitute angularly outwardly bent end portions of said wire arms. The trunnions 30 and 31 accordingly provide an axis about which the arms 32 have swinging movement in path straddling the hinge joining the panels 10 and 11, and surface of the latter facing said arms 32 are thereby acted upon to gradually enter the space between said arms 32 as the portions of the arms straddling the bracket 16 are disposed in a retracted position along the walls 20 and 21 of the bracket generally parallel to the axis of swinging movement of the panels 10 and 11 to an advanced position extending generally radially of said axis. During such swinging movement of the arms 32 surface portions of the panels 10 and 11 facing said arms are acted upon at progressively increasing distances from the axis of said panels.

yIn so acting against the surface of the panels, the arms 32 ride on a wedge-shaped ridge formed along the rear edge of the panels 10 and 11 facing toward the handle 22. The portion of the ridge so engageable by the arms of the camming lever is inclined upwardly from its 'tip at the end thereof nearest the bracket 16. Thus, the ridge 33 cooperates with the arms of the camming lever to apply progressively increasing squeezing pressure on the mop element 23 as the arms of the lever are moved in a direction toward the f-ront edge of the panels, whereby corresponding gradually greater compression of the mop element is obtained in a direction away from the axis of swinging movement of the panels.

As shown in the drawings, a similar ridge 33 is formed at both front and rear edges 4of each panel 10 and 11. Accordingly it is possible to reverse the panels 10 and 11 to facilitate assembly of the mop during manufacture.

A coil spring 34 encircling the pintle 14 operates to bias the panels 10 and 11 against the movement away '3 from a substantially coplanar position wherein said panels are engaged by the edges of the walls 20 and 21 of the bracket 16.

It will be noted from Fig. 3 that the hinged connection between the panels 10 and 11 is located sufficiently below the general plane of the panels so as to accommodate squeezing of the mop element 23 between such panels without excessive crowding of the mopping element 23 in the region of said hinge.

As shown in Fig. 4 the nuts 26 and 29 projecting upwardly from the face of the panels 10 and i1 respectively are engageable with the arms 32 to limit swinging movement of 'the latter toward the front edge of the panels 1) and 11 thus preventing the arms from traveling beyond the outer end of the ridge 33. The camming lever 32 is provided with a handle end portion 35 which is Oiset from the portion of the lever of which it forms a continuation so as to provide ample clearance between said portion 35 and the surface of the handle 22 offset thereto when the camming lever 32 is positioned in an idle position relatively close to the handle 22. Any suitable means may be provided for retaining the camming lever in an idle position relatively close to the under side of the handle 22 so as not to interfere with the mapping operation. The tubular extension 19 is open throughout a section joining the bracket 16 so as to provide spaced apart side walls 37 and 38 between which the arms 32 of the camming lever are adapted to be releasably trapped when the lever is in idle position relatively close to the handle Z2.

A plate 39 of metal or other suitable material having opposite longitudinal edges thereof curled about the arms of the handle portion 35 of the camming lever reinforces the arms 32 against undesired spreading under pressure applied against said arms by Athe panels 10 and 11 incident to operation -of the camming lever to squeeze the mopping element.

It may be desirable to provide a mopping element 23 in the form of a pair of sponge blocks which separate along a line coincident with the hinged connection between the panels 10 and 11 in lieu of a single block of sponge material, as shown.

While in the foregoing the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is understood that the invention is susceptible to such further alterations and vmodifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

Il. In a mop, the combination of a pair of panels, a hinge connecting said panels for swinging movement of said panels between an outspread and a juxtaposed folded position including a pintle having projecting ends, a bracket having a pair of -opposed ears in which the pro jecting ends of said pintle have bearing support, a pair of opposed parallel side walls extending between said ears and presenting longitudinal edges at equal distances in opposite directions radially of the pintle with which the panels are engageable to limit swinging movement of the panels in a selected direction, a lever pivotally mounted on said opposed side walls of the bracket having spaced apart camming arms between which said panels are engaged for movement in a direction away from said selected direction into a juxtaposed folded position, a tubular member forming a rearward extension ot' said bracket having its longitudinal axis arranged lengthwise of the hinge connecting said panels, said tubular member being joined to said bracket by connecting means presenting opposed surfaces between which portions of the lever are yieldably trapped when the panels are in outspread position, and a mopping element secured to said panels so as to be squeezed therebetween when said panels are so moved into juxtaposed folded position.

2. yIn a mop, the combination of a pair of panels, `a hinge connecting said panels for swinging movement of said panels between an outspread and a juxtaposed folded position including a pintle having projecting ends, a bracket having a pair of opposed ears in which the projecting ends of said pintle have bearing support, a pair of opposed parallel side walls extending between said ears and presenting longitudinal edges at equal distances in opposite directions radially of the pintle with which the panels are engageable to limit swinging movement of the panels in a selected direction, a lever pivotally mounted on said opposed side walls of the bracket having spaced apart camming arms between which said panels are engaged for movement in a direction away from said selected direction into a juxtaposed fol-ded position, handle attaching means joined to said bracket by connecting means presenting opposed wings between which integral rearward extensions of the side walls of the bracket are conned `and fastened, opposed surfaces presented by said wings between which portions of the lever are yieldably trapped when the panels are in outspread position and a mopping element secure-d to said panels so as to be squeezed therebetween when said panels are so moved into juxtaposed folded position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,086,660 Fischer Feb. 1G, 1914 2,251,384 Thomas Aug. 5, 1941 2,515,403 Greenleaf et al. July 18, 1950 2,643,407 Vosbikian et al June 30, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 509,960 Belgium Mar. 31, 1952 596,139 Germany Apr. 27, 1934 617,197 Germany Aug. 14, 1935 1,007,952 France Feb. 13, 1952 

